2008 News Archive - Holidays - Mauritius signs conservation agreement

04 11 2008

Mauritius has signed an agreement aimed at protecting its marine environment, according to the African Press Agency (APA) - a move that could benefit tourists snorkelling off the islands' fabulous coral reefs.

Among other measures, the conservation plan will encourage local fishermen to join the tourism industry, allowing overfished tropical lagoons to repopulate themselves with marine life.

Mauritius has long been a popular destination for beach holidays, especially for those partial to diving or snorkelling - an experience that this new conservation agreement could enhance.

Reef Conservation Mauritius (RCM) assistant president Vellin Bhurtan told the APA that his organisation had been leading the struggle to protect Mauritius' marine life for four years.

RCM signed the agreement after their conservation plan was selected as the best from over 500 submissions in countries across the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius was a favourite of the American author Mark Twain, who wrote in 1897: "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius."